Euthanasia Presented by Wendy Blount, D.V.M.

EuthanasiaPresented by Wendy Blount, D.V.M.

Injection Cephalic Vein Watch video 9:23 CONFIDENTIAL

Injection Other Veins Watch video 2:13 CONFIDENTIAL

Intraperitoneal Injection Watch video 7:03 CONFIDENTIAL

Intracardiac Injection Watch video 3:36 CONFIDENTIAL

Verification of Death Watch video 5:22 CONFIDENTIAL

Euthanasia of Wildlife • Consult with game warden before euthanizing protected species • Assume all rabies vector species to be infected with rabies • Skunk • Bat • Raccoon • Fox, coyote • Send head for rabies examination if any people or domestic animals exposed CONFIDENTIAL

Euthanasia of Wildlife • Birds • Intracoelemic injection just below the breast bone • 0.3cc/lb body weight; 3 cc/10 lb body weight • Small Mammals • Rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, hamsters, etc. • Anesthetize, then IP or IC injection • IP without sedation if can be safely restrained CONFIDENTIAL

Euthanasia of Wildlife • Small Mammals • Anesthetize, then IP or IC injection • IP without sedation if can be restrained • Reptiles • Must be sedated prior to euthanasia • Especially turtles and tortoises • Requires supervision of a veterinarian • Know how to identify poisonous snakes • 2-3cc pentobarbital/10 lbs • Reptiles can feign death, and heart rate can fall to a few per minute and still be alive • Death can take a day or two CONFIDENTIAL

Livestock • Gunshot to the head commonly used • May need to follow with shot to the heart • If euthanized with pentobarb, the animal can not be used for food • Wildlife can be poisoned • Cattle in a chute or sedated • Horse euthanasia only by the experienced • 120cc solution attached to an IV line • Horse can rear after injected • Must be clear of the horse when falling CONFIDENTIAL

Livestock • Cattle, sheep and goats • Inject jugular vein • Pigs • Sedate then IC injection • Thick fat layer makes IV injection very difficult • The squealing is unbearable • Sometimes can hit the ear vein with sedation • Experienced pig handlers can hit the jugular vein, but it takes practice. CONFIDENTIAL

Livestock • AAEP Euthanasia Guidelines • IV pentobarbital is preferred • Gunshot to the brain is acceptable • Captive bolt is acceptable • IV potassium chloride after sedation is acceptable • Alternatives may be necessary under special circumstances CONFIDENTIAL

Injection Tips • Quickly check needle for barbs to prevent painful injection • Cheap needles will become dull or barbed with a single pass through the drug bottle • If you must recap a needle, use the one handed technique (demo) • Keep a syringe of 8-10 cc of pentobarbital ready, in case re-injection is needed • If not needed by the end of the day, return to the drug supply bottle in the safe CONFIDENTIAL

IV Injection • Unconsciousness within less than a minute • Things that can delay onset of death • Mental state – excitement • sedate • Poor circulation • Dehydration • Shock • Heart failure • After a large meal (xylazine can cause vomiting) • Inherent drug tolerance CONFIDENTIAL

Euthanasia Presented by Wendy Blount, D.V.M.